Redeveloping downtown - Innovative, exciting projects top all others

The Downtown Kingston Redevelopment Project has been described by minister with responsibility for land, environment, climate change, and investments, Daryl Vaz, as the most innovative, exciting, growth and job-creating and socially just project to be pursued in modern Jamaica.

This far-reaching project, according to Vaz, will close development gaps, particularly in neglected inner-city communities.

The geographic area of focus for the pilot phase of the project is an area including Rae Town to Trench Town and below National Heroes Circle.

In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the Lower House of Parliament on April 25, Vaz said that the project was not solely concerned with the deficits such as informal settlements, disorderly street vending, the inability to collect state taxes, and a general breakdown in law and order. He said that the Government would also mobilise underutilised and distressed assets in downtown communities and commercial districts.

Yesterday, Gleaner Chief Photo Editor Norman Grindley captured several development projects now under way in downtown Kingston.